Winners and losers from 49ers final preseason game

The 49ers coaching staff had one last chance to evaluate players on the roster bubble Thursday in the preseason finale. Kyle Shanahan decided to sit 29 players, mostly starters, so this list was designed for players on the bubble of the 53.

Here are our winners and losers from 49ers’ 23-13 victory over the Chargers:

Winner: Victor Bolden Jr., WR

(Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports)

Undrafted free agents are a long shot to make it in the NFL. Bolden is no different, but the former Oregon State receiver made a strong case for making the final 53-man roster.

Bolden (5-8, 178) returned a kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown in the 49ers’ second exhibition matchup against the Broncos. He turned heads again when he scored his second special teams touchdown against the Chargers, this time a 92-yard punt return.

Bolden is undersized, but brings value on special teams – a key for all undrafted free agents’ chances. With his performance Thursday, Bolden may have earned a spot or increased the odds of being picked up by another team if he didn’t.

Loser: Joe Williams, RB

(Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

Williams carried the ball 10 times Thursday for 53 yards. From a box score perspective, he was the 49ers’ top running back and displayed the traits that made him a target of Shanahan’s during the draft. Unfortunately for the former Utah back, Williams’ fumble issues from his time in college reared their ugly head Thursday.

Williams was involved in two turnovers. One when he and rookie quarterback Nick Mullens botched a handoff, then another when Williams allowed a defensive lineman to easily strip the ball from his hands and recover the fumble.

Williams’ roster chances are good given his draft status. But after seemingly being surpassed by undrafted free agent Matt Breida on the depth chart, fumbles aren’t something Williams can afford going into the season.

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